Press for DOWN ON PACIFIC

The Walkup - Down On Pacific, Reynolds Records - HarderBeat.com
These New York natives have a confident sound, but they stop short of being cocky or British, even though they have a brit-indie-pop-esque character in most of their work. Maybe living in a musical melting pot gives them the right spices. Whatever the case-it works great. Down On Pacific has some crafty-ass guitar work that blends well with the lo-fi vocals. By diversifying their timing and hooks, they manage to keep the album interesting throughout. This quality, above all else, plays a powerful part in their performance.
- Shane Epting

http://blog.rhapsody.com/2008/05/rhapsody-excl-3.html

Rhapsody
Sinewy guitar and focused, catchy melodies drive the Walkup's debut LP, bringing to mind bits of Television, OMD and the Strokes. "Looks Like" might be the record's best by a nose; it's pinned down by an arching chorus before dissolving into rude guitar. Ballads? Sorry, the lolling "In the Park" is as close as these guys get to sentimental. - Nate Cavalieri

http://popwreck.blogspot.com/2008/05/walkup-down-on-pacific.html
You have to plan ahead when you rock with The Walkup. Any lack of preparation could leave you in serious need of a geography lesson because this New York based group does not bring to mind visions of shining skyscrapers. In fact, they don't sound like an East Coast band at all. They instead evoke the scenes of sunny beaches crawling along the Pacific Coast. Their aptly named debut album Down on Pacific features ten tracks with a consistent quality throughout, setting the group up for a bright future.

Down on Pacific is the result of the unified musical influence of each of the band's members. The lead vocals, sung by Alex Koch, remind me of Morrissey if he had a sunnier disposition. I can picture the smirk on Koch's lips as he sings with a moody and pleading tone. Enhanced by a slight echo effect, Koch's vocals create the illusion of a live show rather than a studio recording. His vocals are accompanied by chord progressions that straddle the line between East and West Coast alternative rock, applied by guitarist Sean Finnigan.

Rounding out the group we find Michael Petrucelly and Christopher Ayoub, who supply the Walkup's somewhat repetitive rhythm section. These four have managed to capture a sound that is so popular these days and turn it into something different and original. The album's opening track, "My Youth," does a great job of getting my feet tapping and head bopping. It sets the tone for the rest of the record, which is filled with more up-tempo tunes, keeping the listener's mood upbeat and perky.

The funky bass intro to "The Long Hours" by Ayoub screams for my attention immediately. I find myself singing along with the catchy-as-hell hook in the chorus and banging my head like the "rag doll" they speak of. The band chooses a thematic rhythm which resonates throughout Down on Pacific creating a sound I can only associate with The Walkup, successfully keeping their songs uniform but not identical.

The Walkup's signature sound is fairly heavy with their self-stated influences of other groups bleeding through. "Conversation" made me believe I had accidentally started playing "London Calling" by The Clash. Sounding like The Clash is never a problem, as long as an original sound is maintained. I was pleased to hear that the similarities did not carry throughout the entire tune: the heavy beat that is sustained throughout the verse, consisting of down stroke strumming on one chord develops nicely into a heartsick alternative rock melody throughout the chorus. Along with the surprise appearance of a synthesizer, the song builds up towards its somewhat climactic end.

If they continue to release albums of this caliber, The Walkup will have cemented themselves into the music scene for life. A combination of The Beach Boys' party-time attitude with The Smiths' moody and broody ways is a match made in New York.

Pick up a copy of Down on Pacific out June 3, 2008. - Jenna Avery-Lawyer

http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/news/article/0,,4684601,00.html

http://www.babysue.com
The Walkup is the trio consisting of Alex Koch (guitar, vocals), Michael Petrucelly (drums), Sean Finnigan (guitar), and Christopher Ayoub (bass). The members got together in 2005 in New York City and formed the band, eventually releasing their EP These Walls Have Ears. Rather than jump into things, the band took their time preparing for their debut album...honing their skills and writing material. The result is the first full-length from The Walkup...Down on Pacific. More than any other band, the tunes on this album remind us very much of The Strokes (particularly some of the nifty dual guitar interplay). These guys write simple, catchy pop tunes that are just slightly quirky. Hummable tunes include "My Youth," "Looks Like We Haven't Learned a Thing," "In The Park," and "Logic Goes." Good stuff.

http://fuelfriends.blogspot.com/2008/04/monday-music-roundup_21.html

The Walkup on Next 107.1

http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/04/podcast-tim-and.html

11:41 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Walkup featured on USA TODAY Pop Candy Podcast
Category: Music

Kids,
Just a quicky, yesterday the band was featured on the block mentioned above for USA TODAY, The link is below and you can access the podcast on Itunes. Look for the 4/22/08 edition. Our song 'Conversation' is featured, which will be on our new record.



Thanks!!

http://blogs. usatoday. com/popcandy/2008/04/podcast-tim-and. html

Sean /// The Walkup

11:21 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

we’re comin’ back.
Current mood: betrayed
Category: Music

Everyone,

Maybe some of you have been wondering what the hell happened to us. Maybe most of you weren't. Regardless, this year is looking very promising, and here's a little synopsis of the year's events thus far, and what's to come.



NEW WALKUP MEMBER!

Our bass player quit, and we replaced him with a new bass player. His name is Christopher and he's smooth like silk.



NEW RECORD COMING OUT FINALLY! NO, REALLY!

We've established a release date for our debut album, "Down on Pacific", which we are releasing via our good friends and associates at Reynolds Recording Co. It has taken some time for our efforts to come to fruition here, but we are really excited and confident that it was all worth the wait.



The official release date is June 3rd. It will be available on Itunes, as well as at our shows, which are being booked currently and are posted on our page. An official record release party is in the works, so stay tuned for big party.



OTHER NEW THINGS

One good thing that comes from 'strategically' waiting to release an album is that you get alot of time to put new material together for a future release and play at shows. I get serious satisfaction from cracking open a fresh can of solid white albacore.

Don't you?
We'll be cracking open some new songs at shows this summer that we are quite excited about, hope you like them.



That is all for now.



Sean /// The Walkup

2:05 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment